Dabo Swinney says his defense is playing with a lot of confidence right now, and that is why they were able to shutdown Florida State’s high-flying offense last week.
If the Tigers want to avoid a third consecutive ACC loss, their defense better play with the same confidence against Syracuse on Saturday.
Clemson limited FSU to 311 total yards, 286 in regulation. The Seminoles needed a scoop-and-score from their defense and a touchdown in overtime to win the game. The Tigers held FSU to 17 offensive points in regulation.
After shutting down Jordan Travis and the Seminoles last week, the Clemson defense will be called on to do the same to Syracuse’s Garrett Shrader. The Orange’s quarterback, who is 6-foot-4 and weighs 230 pounds, is averaging 243 yards per game through the air, while also averaging 79 yards on the ground.
He has already accounted for 12 touchdowns this season, including six rushing touchdowns.
“The two plays in the Purdue game, he just takes off,” Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said. “He just gets back, they were in man coverage. One time they actually have him, but we have plenty of tape where we had him, too and we don’t have him.
“He is a big, strong kid. He just has a great feel, and he is faster than he is quick.”
Shrader is the third big quarterback challenge the Tigers have faced this year. Though they lost both games, Clemson did a good job containing and limiting Duke’s Riley Leonard and Travis. The two combined to complete just 54.3 percent of their passes for 464 yards, while running for 96 yards.
The two combined for just three total touchdowns, including a 44-yard touchdown run by Riley. In both games, Clemson applied constant pressure.
The Tigers forced eight hurries on Riley and three on Travis.
“Our defense is incredibly confident, and not just because (of the FSU game) but because they put the work in,” Swinney said. “We are freakin’ good. This is a good defense. They have been in position (to win). This defense ought to be 4-0.”
Clemson (2-2, 0-2 ACC) at Syracuse (4-0, 0-0 ACC)
Kickoff: Saturday, Sept. 30, Noon ET
Location: JMA Wireless Dome, Syracuse, N.Y.
TV: ABC
Spread: Clemson -6.5
Over/Under: 53
WHY CLEMSON WILL WIN
If there is one thing we know about this year’s Clemson team is this, if they take care of the football the Tigers will win. It is that easy. Last week, Clemson dominated No. 5 Florida State all afternoon, yet it was one fumble that was returned for a touchdown that proved to be the difference. The key for Clemson against the Orange is simple – do not beat Clemson.
WHY SYRACUSE WILL WIN
There are two reasons why Syracuse will win. The first is listed above, if the Tigers lose the turnover battle, like they have in three of the first four games this year, then the Orange will win. The second reason? The Clemson defense can’t contain Shrader. The Syracuse quarterback is very deceptive with his ball fakes in the run game. He is also very elusive in the passing game and is a master at extending plays. He is also hard to bring down. He ran for 195 yards against Purdue a few weeks back.
OTHER STARS TO WATCH
Tyler Brown continues to emerge as the big-play threat the Tigers have been missing on offense the last few years. Fellow wide receiver Troy Stellato is also beginning to show a thing or two and tight end Jake Briningstool made some plays in the FSU game, as well. With Syracuse tight end Oronde Gadsen II out, the Orange has had others step up, like young receivers Donovan Brown and Umari Hatcher. The defense also has new stars in Kevon Darton and Anwar Sparrow.
THIS AND THAT
Clemson is looking to avoid its first 0-3 start in ACC play since 1998.
FINAL ANALYSIS
Clemson is coming off a very difficult loss, one they should have won. The Tigers were clearly the better team against Florida State, but the same two things that bit them in the Duke game, also bit them against FSU – turnovers and the kicking game. Clemson is better than Syracuse, but where is their mind at right now? Are they still feeling sorry for themselves after the FSU loss, or are they really pissed off as Swinney said earlier this week.
PREDICTION
Clemson 23, Syracuse 17
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